North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the demolition of South Korean facilities in the Mt. Kumgang tourist zone two years ago, but it appears the country has yet to implement that order.
A Daily NK source in North Korea reported on Monday that North Korean authorities believe building new structures after demolishing the old ones would prove pointless given the decreased amount of tourism due to COVID-19. The country’s leadership also believes that it needs to place a priority on disease control efforts.
The source emphasized that the reason behind North Korea’s failure to demolish the existing buildings is because the “Supreme Leader [Kim Jong Un] and the ruling party are placing a priority on preparing for a protracted coronavirus pandemic.”
The source pointed out that the authorities would have to erect new buildings immediately after demolishing the old South Korean ones. “Even if the [structures] were built immediately, it would likely be a tough time domestically and internationally to promote tourism,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“[The leadership] doesn’t feel the need to invest party funds, labor, or supplies into such a project, so they won’t be demolishing the facilities right away,” he continued, adding, “[North Korean leaders] have also postponed orders to start construction [of new buildings].”
Since 2019, North Korea has made moves ostensibly aimed at developing the Mt. Kumgang tourist zone on its own. When he last visited the area, Kim ordered the demolition of “shabby” South Korean facilities and their replacement with new facilities “built in our [North Korean] style.”
During a review of past activities at the Eighth Party Congress earlier this year, Kim called for “gradual and annual” progress in the comprehensive plan to develop the Mt. Kumgang tourist zone “over the course of the new five-year plan.” He called for the removal of all the old facilities, including “the Hotel Haegumgang near Kosong Port.”
With COVID-19 continuing to spread, however, the authorities appear to have put efforts to develop the country’s various tourist sites on the back burner. This seems to have included postponing the demolishing of South Korean facilities in the Mt. Kumgang tourist zone for the time being.
North Korean authorities have also provisionally shelved plans to develop the region into distinctive zones such as the Kosong Port Coastal Tourism Zone, the Piro Peak Hiking Tourism Zone, and the Haegumgang Coastal Park Zone, according to the source.
“Work on the area around the Kosong Port Coastal Tourism Zone was suspended, with just the port area fixed up,” he explained. “In the Piro Peak, Haegumgang, and Sports and Culture zones, all the soldiers were withdrawn right after the start of construction work.”
North Korea continues to make it clear it intends to demolish the South Korean facilities and erect new buildings once the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Daily NK’s source said that the authorities have announced that they will “never cooperate with South Korea” during the process of demolishing the buildings and putting up new ones.
“It’s clear they will demolish Hotel Haegumgang and replace it with a new building,” the source said, “They will build a completely different building, newly remodeling everything in our [North Korean] style.
“Absolutely no attempt will be made to liaison with South Korea regarding the development of tourist sites in Mt. Kumgang,” he claimed, adding, “It’s likely the designs and construction will be done in our [North Korean] style after receiving supplies, equipment, and money from China.”
Meanwhile, the authorities have reportedly been unable to complete construction work at the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone in Kangwon Province.
Work on the tourist zone was slated to be completed by April of last year.
“The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone remains uncompleted,” the source said. “The interiors [of structures at the site] in particular remain incomplete.”
According to the source, only the exteriors of the structures have been completed, and that construction managers “have not even reported [to the leadership] that the structures are finished being built.”
The source went on to explain that North Korean building laws forbid structures to be used before a “construction completion report” has been filed. “That’s why no one is using these buildings,” he added.
